Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's unflinching satire addresses the tyranny of women's appearance as well as the dreaded aspects of ageing. The veteran actress offers a brilliant acting turn in the role of Elisabeth, an aging celebrity demoted to starring in an aerobics show on television. Edged out thanks to her deceitful superior Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she seeks out a secretive and gruesome procedure known as "The Substance". This produces a youthful duplicate named Sue, leading to a progressively vampiric relationship among both women. October 17th, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This classic whodunit mystery features Knightley playing Laura, an ace reporter who decides to take some time off from reporting on global conflict to board an opulent ship accompanied by a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her husband, and other affluent individuals. But after a mysterious woman goes overboard one night and the entire crew denies she ever existed, Laura's investigative instincts awaken. Available now, the Netflix platform
Presence Film
Steven Soderbergh challenges his creative boundaries in this nifty ghostly tale captured wholly from the perspective of the spirit. As a family featuring mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe settles into their recent residence, the lens – as the unseen entity – follows them around. Chloe seems conscious of the poltergeist, and the entity appears protective of her. Yet what is the reason? The premise is enjoyable that avoids overstaying, featuring a surprise you might not see coming. Saturday 11 October, multiple showings, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor embraces his cult stardom in this self-referential adventure. He plays a self-obsessed film star playing himself who takes on a $1m payday to attend a birthday party on the Spanish island for the rich superfan Javi. Hired by government spies to gather intel on the suspected cartel boss, his unique performing skills comes in handy. October 11th, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone Horror
The director's claustrophobic thriller holds up well even without a follow-up. Set in 1970s Colorado, a series of disappearances has left the local kids frightened. Once Finney is kidnapped by the kidnapper and held captive in a cellar, he fears the worst. But the disconnected phone on the wall repeatedly calls, with eerie communicators giving advice, while the intuitive nightmares from his sibling Gwen could save him. An effective horror. October 11th, nighttime, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between spirituality and money, the victory is clear for materialism in this director's brilliantly over-the-top biopic about the fallen religious broadcaster plus her lawbreaking partner. The actor portrays the greedy Jim, who states initially, claiming divine approval for wealth. The couple commence monetising the nation's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of poor styling, bad makeup and insincerity, though Chastain achieves to show the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, late night, Film4
Black Bag
This period's second offering from Steven Soderbergh delivers a intelligence thriller as sharp similar to the collars sported by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. His assignment is with uncovering a double agent within their ranks from a group of five – including is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Both actors excel of deadpan cool, resulting in an engaging mental battle of deception or honesty develops. The supporting cast participate the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema Premiere
